Columbus: #1 for logistics and "Silicon Valley of retail"

Recognition & Accolades

Columbus, a rapidly growing city of more than 2 million, was just ranked as #1 for logistics by Inbound Logistics. The city also was called the :Silicon Valley of retail, ” by a leading real estate planning and development company.

Inbound Logistics notes: “Although Columbus, Ohio, has long been a hot spot for siting distribution centers, more than 100 logistics expansion projects were completed in the region in the past five years alone, primarily due to the emergence of e-commerce demand in Ohio.

“'Because speed is critical to efficient customer service, more and more East and West Coast companies set up their distribution centers in central Ohio,” says Matt McCollister, senior vice president, economic development, Columbus 2020. “In less than one day, companies can reach half of the U.S. population and one-third of Canada's—that kind of proximity is unmatched.'”

A Columbus CEO interview notes:

“'There is a concentration of retail expertise in this region that fosters an exchange of ideas and creativity going back a long time. It’s the Silicon Valley of retail.'”

“Another major factor that trumps either coast is the cost of living in the Region.

“'You can open three stores here for half the cost of what you can do in New York,” Steiner says. “You can organize a distribution center, have access to a reasonably priced labor pool and get just about everything you need because of the collection of retailers and support services here.'”